Sharpe’s Gold characters

Appears from the start

A former private now commanding the South Essex light company after capturing a French Eagle at Talavera. Sharpe's promotion is secure enough to give him responsibility, but his lack of money and influence still leaves him dependent on Wellington's approval and on success in assignments other officers would refuse.

Appears from the start

Sharpe's closest friend and the strongest of his riflemen. Harper is an Irish soldier whose loyalty is to Sharpe rather than to rank alone, and he supplies practical judgment when a secret mission begins to conflict with its stated purpose.

Also known as Lord Wellington

Appears from the start

Commander of the allied army in Portugal. Wellington is preparing a defensive system whose success depends on secrecy, labor, and money, and he gives Sharpe an urgent mission without explaining every reason behind it.

First appears in chapter 2

Wellington's engineer and intelligence officer. Hogan understands the hidden strategic purpose of Sharpe's orders and serves as the link between a battlefield captain and the commander's larger plans for Portugal.

First appears in chapter 2

An officer of the South Essex who respects Sharpe's battlefield ability. Knowles helps lead the soldiers assigned to the mission and must maintain discipline while the company operates away from the main army.

First appears in chapter 3

An older rifleman and expert marksman who has served with Sharpe through the army's return to Portugal and Spain. Hagman brings patience and fieldcraft to a mission in which a small party must move among guerrillas and French troops.

First appears in chapter 3

A literate, observant rifleman in Sharpe's veteran group. Harris is useful as a translator and as a soldier able to understand the political arguments surrounding the Spanish gold as well as the immediate danger.

First appears in chapter 31

A British officer attached to Spanish forces and the custodian of a large reserve of Spanish gold. Kearsey regards the treasure as property held for Spain's cause and is suspicious of any order that treats an ally's wealth as a British resource.

First appears in chapter 36

The formidable leader of the Spanish guerrillas guarding Kearsey and the gold. El Católico claims authority from service to Spain and does not intend to surrender either the treasure or his independence merely because Sharpe carries British orders.

First appears in chapter 39

A young Spanish woman living with the guerrilla band that protects the gold. Teresa is proud, politically committed, and accustomed to danger; she judges Sharpe by what he does rather than by the social rank that preoccupies the British army.